A Comparison between IronBarcode and Leadtools Barcode

A barcode is a machine-readable visual representation of data. Barcodes were first used to express data by changing the lengths and spacings of parallel lines. These linear or one-dimensional (1D) barcodes may be scanned using special optical scanners known as barcode readers, of which there are various types. Later, two-dimensional (2D) variations using rectangles, dots, hexagons, and other patterns were developed, dubbed matrix codes, despite the fact that they do not use bars. Purpose-built 2D optical scanners, which come in a variety of configurations, can read 2D barcodes. A digital camera attached to a microcomputer running the relevant software can take a photographic image of the barcode and also scan 2D barcodes. It deconstructs and decodes the 2D barcode by analyzing the image. Using specialized application software, a mobile device with an inbuilt camera, such as a smartphone, can act as the latter sort of 2D barcode scanner.

In this article, we are going to compare two popular barcode libraries:

• Leadtools Barcode
• IronBarcode

Both these libraries can be used for the generation and recognition of barcodes, provide support for all .NET frameworks, and allow you to save the barcode images.

Leadtools Barcode

The LEADTOOLS Barcode SDK is the world's premier toolkit for developers that require an API to detect, read, and generate 1D and 2D barcodes. Featuring a fast, highly accurate, and reliable barcode engine for .NET Framework, .NET Core, Xamarin, UWP, C++ Class Library, C#, VB, C/C++, Java, Objective-C, and Swift developers, the award-winning LEADTOOLS libraries help programmers create amazing applications with full-featured barcode technology.

The Barcode API features are as follows:

Quickly find and decode barcodes: LEADTOOLS is the most comprehensive barcode toolkit on the market, supporting both the reading and writing of over 100 barcode types, including all major 1D and 2D barcodes, in both bitonal and color images. An image or region of interest can be bitonal or color, low resolution, and have multiple types of barcodes that can even be damaged and in differing orientations. The confidence of the decoded data is always 100%, making LEADTOOLS a reliable component of any workflow involving barcodes. It also has non-English characters, and can create 2d and postal barcodes. Furthermore, it can hide barcode text as well.

Barcode Web Services Several LEADTOOLS SDKs offer SOAP and RESTful web services to detect, read, and generate 1D and 2D barcodes in images on any application for a platform-independent solution. RESTful Web Services provide a simple JSON interface for HTML5/JavaScript applications. Developers using high-level environments such as .NET (C# & VB) and Java can utilize LEADTOOLS SOAP Web Services for more advanced options and features.

In image processing, barcode imaging technology leadtools barcode pro SDK and leadtools barcode application can help a lot to work with programming interfaces. Also leadtools supports sub type image compression, screen capture, and some mobile devices document cleanup via scanning. All is included in lead technologies inc. tool license and other license contain some additional information and other questions that are important for the toolkit. the documentation contains comprehensive reporting about the platforms.

IronBarcode

IronBarcode for .NET allows programmers to read and write barcodes and QR codes from within .NET apps and websites. IronBarcode simply requires a single line of code to read or write barcodes. Most barcode and QR standards can be read and written using the.NET barcode library. Code 39/93/128, UPC A/E, EAN 8/13, ITF, RSS 14 / Expanded, Databar, Codabar, Aztec, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, PDF417, MSI, Plessey, USPS, and QR are some of the most common. Type, text, binary data, page, and picture files are all included in the barcode result data. The Barcode API features are as follows:

IronBarcode reads and writes most barcode types and QR standards, including UPC A/E, EAN 8/13, Code 39/93/128, ITF, MSI, RSS 14/Expanded, Databar, CodaB.

AR, QR, Styled QR, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, PDF417, Plessey, and Aztec. The barcode data, type, page, text, and barcode picture provided by the results are perfect for archiving or indexing systems.

Image pre-processing improves reading speed and accuracy — IronBarcode automatically pre-processes barcode pictures to increase reading speed and accuracy. It can read scans or live video frames, correct rotation, noise, distortion and skewing. Batch-processing server applications can take advantage of several cores and threads, and find one or more barcodes in single and multi-page documents automatically. Without the use of complicated APIs, you can search for certain kinds of barcode or document locations, physical or virtual printers and devices.

Designed for use with .NET projects — get up and running in minutes with just a few lines of code. Built for the .NET Framework as a single DLL with no dependencies; supports 32 and 64-bit, may be used in any .NET and dot net core language. Supports mobile and desktop devices in web, cloud, desktop, and console applications. It can also be used to create rotated barcodes.

Create barcode and QR codes for a variety of document formats — save and print to a file or stream in a variety of file and stream formats, including PDF, JPG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, PNG, and HTML. Color, quality, rotation, size, and text can all be changed.

2.0 Creating a New Project

Open Visual Studio and then go to the file menu. Select new project, and then select Console Application/Windows Forms/WPF Application. IronBarcode can be used on all types of applications. Also, you can use apps such as Webform/MVC/MVC Core.

Enter the project name and select the file path in the appropriate text box. Then, click the create button and select the required .NET Framework. The project will now be generated with the structure for the selected application, and, if you have selected the console application, it will open the program.cs file where you can enter the code and build/run the application.

3.0 Install the IronBarcode Library

3.1 Using IronBarcode

The IronBarcode Library can be downloaded and installed in four ways:

These are:

• Using Visual Studio
• Using the Visual Studio Command-Line.
• Direct download from the NuGet website.
• Direct download from the IronBarcode website.

3.1.1 Using Visual Studio

The Visual Studio software provides the NuGet Package manager option to install the package directly to the solution. The below screenshot shows how to open the NuGet Package Manager.

It provides the search box to show the list of the packages from the NuGet website. In the package manager, we need to search for the keyword "Barcode", as in the screenshot below:

From the above image, we will get the list of the related search results. We need to select the required option to install the package to the solution.

3.1.2 Using the Visual Studio Command-Line

In Visual Studio tools, go to Tools-> NuGet Package manager -> Package manager console

Enter the following line in the console tab:

Install-Package BarCode

Now the package will download/install to the current project and be ready to use.

3.1.3 Direct Download from the NuGet Website

The third way is to download the package directly from the website.

• Navigate to the Link.
• Select the download package option from the right-hand side menu.
• Double-click the downloaded package. It will be installed automatically.
• Now reload the solution and start using it in the project.

3.1.4 Direct Download from the IronBarcode Website

Click the link to download the latest package from the website. After the download, follow the steps below to add the package to the project.

• Right-click the project from the solution window.
• Then, select the option reference and browse the location of the downloaded reference.
• Then, click OK to add the reference.

The first thing we need to do is install the Iron Barcode library, adding barcode functionality to the .NET framework. We can do this using our NuGet package or by downloading the .NET Barcode DLL.

 PM > Install-Package Barcode

3.2 Using Leadtools Barcode

The library can be downloaded and installed in four different ways.

These are:

• Using Visual Studio
• Using the Visual Studio Command-Line.
• Direct download from the NuGet website.
• Direct download from the IronBarcode website.

3.2.1 Using Visual Studio

This method is similar to that used above for IronBarcode. The only thing we need to change is the search criteria, as in the image below.

Select the first option, which will then download the Leadtools barcode library.

3.2.2 Using the Visual Studio Command-Line

In Visual Studio tools, go to Tools-> NuGet Package manager -> Package manager console

Enter the following line in the package manager console tab.

Install-Package Leadtools barcode

Now the package will download/install in the current project and be ready to use.

3.2.3 Direct download from the NuGet Website

The third way is to download the package directly from the website.

Just click >here to be redirected to the NuGet website where you can download the package.

3.2.4 Direct download from the Leadtools Barcode

Click the link here to be redirected to the list of package versions to choose the required version to download. After the download, follow the steps below to add the package to the project.

Right-click the project from the solution window. Then, select the option reference and browse the location of the downloaded reference. Next, click OK to add the reference.

4.0 Barcode Generation

Barcode generation can easily be done using IronBarcode and Leadtools Barcode. Let's take a look at this using an example.

4.1 Using IronBarcode

IronBarcode can be used to create a barcode label and then saved into different types of image formats. Also, we can pass the barcode type which we need to generate. The following snippet is for barcode generation.

var MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("123456", BarcodeEncoding.Code128);
MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextBelowBarcode("123456");
MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.jpeg");

var MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("123456", BarcodeEncoding.Code128);
MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextBelowBarcode("123456");
MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.jpeg");

Dim MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("123456", BarcodeEncoding.Code128)
MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextBelowBarcode("123456")
MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.jpeg")

Barcodewriter.create barcode is a static class that is available on the IronBarcode namespace. It takes two parameters to the create barcode. We are also able to optionally specify height and width using the CreateBarcode function.

After sending the parameter, it will return the barcode object; this will return different barcode properties, and with those, we are able to add properties like the above sample code. AddAnnotationTextBelowBarcode is one of the properties which allows us to add the text below or above the barcode labels. If we need to, we can also hide the barcode text. In the above code, the jpeg generator helps barcodes save to the jpeg image format.

This is not only for the use of image formats, we are also able to export the barcodes in HTML format. We have different types of images generated to save in different image formats. Also, we are able to read more than one barcode from the given barcode image.

var QRWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("Hello World",         
        "logo.png", 500);
QRWithLogo.ChangeBarCodeColor(System.Drawing.Color.DarkGreen);
QRWithLogo.SaveAsJpeg("Logoqr.jpeg");

var QRWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("Hello World",         
        "logo.png", 500);
QRWithLogo.ChangeBarCodeColor(System.Drawing.Color.DarkGreen);
QRWithLogo.SaveAsJpeg("Logoqr.jpeg");

Dim QRWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("Hello World", "logo.png", 500)
QRWithLogo.ChangeBarCodeColor(System.Drawing.Color.DarkGreen)
QRWithLogo.SaveAsJpeg("Logoqr.jpeg")

The above example shows that we are able to generate a barcode with the image inside the QRcode. The CreateQrCodeWithLogo is a function that allows us to do this job. We are also using the function ChangeBarCodeColor which will help us to change the color of the barcode/QR code. These functions in IronBarcode create custom barcodes for business purposes.

4.2 Using Leadtools Barcode

Leadtools barcode can be used for barcode generation. We can generate different barcode types. The following snippet can be used to create the barcode.

// Figure out how big to make the image
barcodeEngineInstance.Writer.CalculateBarcodeDataBounds(LeadRect.Empty, imageResolution, imageResolution, qrData, qrWriteOptions);
imageHeight = qrData.Bounds.Height;
imageWidth = qrData.Bounds.Width;
// Create an empty image
barcodeImage = new RasterImage(RasterMemoryFlags.Conventional, imageWidth, imageHeight, bitsPerPixel, RasterByteOrder.Rgb,  RasterViewPerspective.TopLeft, palette, IntPtr.Zero, userDataLength);
// Make the image all white
FillCommand fillCmd = new FillCommand(RasterColor.White);
fillCmd.Run(barcodeImage);
// Write the barcode
barcodeEngineInstance.Writer.WriteBarcode(barcodeImage, qrData, qrWriteOptions); 
// Save the results
codecs.Save(barcodeImage, barcodeOutputStream, RasterImageFormat.CcittGroup4, bitsPerPixel); 

// Figure out how big to make the image
barcodeEngineInstance.Writer.CalculateBarcodeDataBounds(LeadRect.Empty, imageResolution, imageResolution, qrData, qrWriteOptions);
imageHeight = qrData.Bounds.Height;
imageWidth = qrData.Bounds.Width;
// Create an empty image
barcodeImage = new RasterImage(RasterMemoryFlags.Conventional, imageWidth, imageHeight, bitsPerPixel, RasterByteOrder.Rgb,  RasterViewPerspective.TopLeft, palette, IntPtr.Zero, userDataLength);
// Make the image all white
FillCommand fillCmd = new FillCommand(RasterColor.White);
fillCmd.Run(barcodeImage);
// Write the barcode
barcodeEngineInstance.Writer.WriteBarcode(barcodeImage, qrData, qrWriteOptions); 
// Save the results
codecs.Save(barcodeImage, barcodeOutputStream, RasterImageFormat.CcittGroup4, bitsPerPixel); 

' Figure out how big to make the image
barcodeEngineInstance.Writer.CalculateBarcodeDataBounds(LeadRect.Empty, imageResolution, imageResolution, qrData, qrWriteOptions)
imageHeight = qrData.Bounds.Height
imageWidth = qrData.Bounds.Width
' Create an empty image
barcodeImage = New RasterImage(RasterMemoryFlags.Conventional, imageWidth, imageHeight, bitsPerPixel, RasterByteOrder.Rgb, RasterViewPerspective.TopLeft, palette, IntPtr.Zero, userDataLength)
' Make the image all white
Dim fillCmd As New FillCommand(RasterColor.White)
fillCmd.Run(barcodeImage)
' Write the barcode
barcodeEngineInstance.Writer.WriteBarcode(barcodeImage, qrData, qrWriteOptions)
' Save the results
codecs.Save(barcodeImage, barcodeOutputStream, RasterImageFormat.CcittGroup4, bitsPerPixel)

The above code shows that BarcodeGenerator is a class with which we can generate the barcode by creating an object, and that we need to pass two parameters: one is the barcode type, and the other parameter is the barcode string which we need to create a barcode. This will be then converted into a BarcodeGenerator object.

The Barcode generation object provides a function called save which allows us to save the created barcode into an image format such as jpeg in the given code snippet. Further, we are not limited to the jpeg format, as we can also save in different formats such as png, tiff etc.

Barcode height and width can be resized using a separate function Barcode Generator object that has the value to set this "Parameters.Barcode.dimension.Millimeters". This allows us to specify and customize the height and width.

Result:

The above image shows the performance comparison of these libraries. The times are calculated in milliseconds.

5.0 Recognize Barcodes

IronBarcode and Leadtools allow us to recognize barcodes from different image formats and the types to which they belong. Let's take a more detailed look.

5.1 Using IronBarcode

IronBarcode helps in reading the barcode from different image formats and can be defined in three ways: as string, stream, or images such as jpeg, tiff and Bitmap. The following example is for reading the barcode from the image using the string method.

BarcodeResult QRResult = BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode("MyBarCode.jpg");
if (QRResult != null)
{
    Console.WriteLine(QRResult.Value);
    Console.WriteLine(QRResult.BarcodeType);
}

BarcodeResult QRResult = BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode("MyBarCode.jpg");
if (QRResult != null)
{
    Console.WriteLine(QRResult.Value);
    Console.WriteLine(QRResult.BarcodeType);
}

Dim QRResult As BarcodeResult = BarcodeReader.QuicklyReadOneBarcode("MyBarCode.jpg")
If QRResult IsNot Nothing Then
	Console.WriteLine(QRResult.Value)
	Console.WriteLine(QRResult.BarcodeType)
End If

he above describes that we are using a class BarcodeReader which has different properties. One of the properties is QuicklyReadOneBarcode, which helps us to read the barcode from the image formats.

QuicklyReadOneBarcode helps us to read the barcode from different types of image formats. It also helps us to convert them into BarcodeResult objects. Through the object, we are able to get the barcode value and the type of the barcode we are reading from the image.

The BarcodeResult has the following values:

• Barcode type
• Value
• Text
• Binary value

The type of the barcode in the supplied input image is returned by BarcodeType, which is an enum data type. IronBarcode supports a total of twenty-two barcode formats. The type of barcode that is applied to the provided input image will be returned.

The object type values available on the BarcodeResult are also value and text. String data types include value and text. This returns the barcode's string value. QuicklyReadOneBarcode reads a QR code/barcode and converts the string value of the image into value/text. The binary value is of the byte data type, and it returns the image's byte. The quick answer code is shown below and may be pasted into any net Windows Forms or net standard application.

5.2 Using Leadtools Barcode

The source for barcode recognition in BarCode for .NET can be defined in three ways: as an image file, a stream, or a bitmap. BMP, PNG, JPEG, GIF, and TIFF are the five picture formats that can be used to read a barcode from files. The implementation details for three different modes are also supplied. Below is the following example for using the string method.

using (BarCodeReader reader = new BarCodeReader(@"MyBarCode.jpg"))
{
    foreach (BarCodeResult result in reader.ReadBarCodes())
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Type: " + result.CodeType);
        Console.WriteLine("CodeText: " + result.CodeText);
    }
}

using (BarCodeReader reader = new BarCodeReader(@"MyBarCode.jpg"))
{
    foreach (BarCodeResult result in reader.ReadBarCodes())
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Type: " + result.CodeType);
        Console.WriteLine("CodeText: " + result.CodeText);
    }
}

Using reader As New BarCodeReader("MyBarCode.jpg")
	For Each result As BarCodeResult In reader.ReadBarCodes()
		Console.WriteLine("Type: " & result.CodeType)
		Console.WriteLine("CodeText: " & result.CodeText)
	Next result
End Using

The above code shows that we are reading the barcode from the jpeg format. BarcodeReader is a class that helps us read the barcode image using the image path as a parameter. Once we pass the image path it will convert the image into a BarcodeReader object. Then, we can use the object to get the value from the image.

BarcodeReader objects have a function called ReadBarCodes() which will help us to get all the available codes in the images. Using the for loop we can get the images one-by-one and hold them in the BarCodeResult object. Through the object, we can read the value and type of the barcode. Using this we are able to read multiple barcodes at once.

6.0 IronBarcode and Leadtools Licensing Models and Pricing

IronBarcode License Model and Price

The 30-day money-back guarantee: when a license is purchased you will get 30 days of money back up if the license does not work.

Easy integration: the integration of IronBarcode with your project and environment is so easy that we can achieve it by writing just a single line of code by adding from NuGet Package, or we can download it from the web and integrate it with our environment that way.

Perpetual Licensing: Each license is purchased once and does not require renewal.

Free Support and Product Updates: every license comes with a year of free product updates and support from the team behind the product. It is possible to purchase extensions at any moment. Extensions can be viewed.

Immediate Licenses: registered license keys are sent out as soon as payment is received.

All licenses are perpetual and apply to development, staging, and production.

The Lite License

• 1 developer
• 1 location
• 1 project
• Perpetual license

This license allows a single software developer in an organization to utilize the Iron Software in a single place. Iron Software can be used in a single web application, intranet application, or desktop software program. Licenses are non-transferable, and they cannot be shared outside of an organization or an agency/client relationship. This license type, like all other license types, expressly excludes all rights not expressly granted under the Agreement, without OEM redistribution and utilizing the Iron Software as a SaaS if additional coverage is not purchased.

Pricing: Starts from $749 per year.

Professional License:

• 10 developers
• 10 locations
• 10 projects
• Perpetual license

This allows a predetermined number of software developers in an organization to utilize Iron Software in single locations, up to a maximum of ten. The Iron Software can be used in as many websites, intranet applications, or desktop software applications as you like. Licenses are non-transferable, and they cannot be shared outside of an organization or an agency/client relationship. This license type, like all other license types, expressly excludes all rights not expressly granted under the Agreement, including OEM redistribution and utilizing the Iron Software as a SaaS without purchasing additional coverage. This license can be integrated with a single project up to a maximum of 10.

Pricing: Starts from $999 per year.

Unlimited License

• Unlimited developers
• Unlimited locations
• Unlimited projects
• Perpetual license

This allows an unlimited number of software developers in an organization to utilize Iron Software in an unlimited number of locations. The Iron Software can be used in as many websites, intranet applications, or desktop software applications as you like. Licenses are non-transferable, and they cannot be shared outside of an organization or an agency/client relationship. This license type, like all other license types, expressly excludes all rights not expressly granted under the Agreement, including OEM redistribution and utilizing the Iron Software as a SaaS if additional coverage is not purchased.

Pricing: Starts from $2999 per year.

Royalty-Free Redistribution: This allows you to distribute the Iron Software as part of a number of differently packaged commercial products (without having to pay royalties) based on the number of projects covered by the base license. It allows for the deployment of Iron Software within SaaS software services, based on the number of projects covered by the base license.

Pricing: Starts from $1599 per year.

Leadtools License Model and Price

Support and maintenance are not included in packages. All the packages can be customized according to user requirements.

Barcode Pro:

• 1 developer
• 1 location

LEADTOOLS Barcode Pro includes everything developers need to detect, read, and write over 100 different 1D and 2D barcode types, and sub-types such as UPC, EAN, Code 128, QR Code, Data Matrix, and PDF417. It builds upon the award-winning LEADTOOLS Imaging Pro features, including 150+ image formats, image compression, image processing, image viewers, imaging common dialogs, 200+ display effects, TWAIN, SANE and WIA scanning, screen capture, and printing. LEADTOOLS Barcode Pro is one of the best value products on the market for barcode imaging technology.

Pricing: Starts from $1295 per year.

LEADTOOLS Pro Suite:

• customized developer
• customized location

LEADTOOLS Pro Suite is an extensive bundle in the LEADTOOLS Pro line of SDKs, and includes desktop and HTML5 zero-footprint image viewers, barcode detection, decoding, and creation, advanced PDF functions to read, write, view, and edit, 150+ image formats, image compression, image processing, imaging common dialogs, 200+ display effects, TWAIN, SANE, and WIA scanning, screen capture, and printing. Developers using the LEADTOOLS Pro Suite can develop robust imaging applications and solutions at a fraction of the cost of similar feature sets found elsewhere on the market.

Pricing: Starts from $1995 per year.

The IronBarcode Lite license includes one developer package with one of year support and costs around $749, while the Leadtools package for one developer costs $1295. Without updates, major releases, and technical support only technical assistance will be included if you want to buy annual maintenance it will cost $324. The IronBarocde Professional license includes 10 developer packages with one year of support, and costs $999, while the Leadtools license with 10 developer packages costs $12290 per year With all updates, major releases, and technical support for 1 year, and without releases and updates cost $9050.00.

The IronBarcode Lite and Professional packages have SaaS service or OEM, and a 5-year support option. The Lite license, including one developer package with five-year support and SaaS and OEM service costs $2897, while Leadtools also has a SaaS or OEM service, as well as a customized support option. The Iron Professional license, including the 10-developer package with five-year support and SaaS and OEM service costs $3397, while the Leadtools license with a 10-developer package, one year of support and SaaS and OEM service costs $12290.

7.0 Conclusion

IronBarcode is one of the most powerful libraries for helping generate and recognize barcodes. It is also one of the fastest libraries in terms of the generation and recognition of barcodes. The library is supported by various operating systems. It supports a wide variety of barcode formats and is simple to create. It also supports a wide spectrum of symbols, formats and characters

Leadtools Barcode is also a powerful library that can help us generate and recognize barcodes with different image formats. We can use various image formats to read and create. Leadtools Barcode also provides an option to change a barcode's appearance, such as height, width, barcode text, etc.

IronBarcode packages provide better licensing and support when compared to Leadtools. Leadtools Barcode is more expensive — IronBarcode starts from $749, while Leadtools Barcode starts at $1295 per year. Not only is our product cheaper than Leadtools, but it also provides more features compared to Leadtools Barcode. We can therefore see clearly that IronBarcode holds a distinct advantage over Leadtools.

When we compare the processing time for recognizing and generating barcodes, IronBarcode has the advantage of being faster than Leadtools. IronBarcode also has various properties which allow us to not only read barcodes from different image formats, but also to read barcodes from PDF documents. It also allows us to add images inside the barcode or QR code, a feature that is not available in any other library.

So, what are you waiting for? The free trial is available to all. You can obtain the License here and begin straightaway